Orlando - Outlet shopping

Forgive me if this has been posted. If it is, can you forward me to it? I tried to search for "outlet" and "shopping" and didn't find anything.

My brother will be running the marathon at Disneyworld and my sister in law, nephew and I plan on going shopping that day. He's pretty useless after the marathon, can't go anywhere. Anyway, so we wanted to go outlet shopping. We were thinking of hitting the Belz outlet which i heard was ok. We won't have a car. But question is where do I get a shuttle from Disneyworld to Belz? Is it in downtown disney? i found a website that said taht but i don't remember where it is.

Also someone toldm e that the Premium Outlets is better than Belz. Is there a shuttle to get there? Or what is the easiest way to get there? Taxi may probably not work since we've got a 2 year old and not sure the laws on child seats. Also may be expensive as some taxis jack up the prices for tourists. Can anyone help me?

I've been to both and actually prefer Belz - which is now called Prime. However, it's currently under construction. There's a chance they may be done or near done. This is one very large & spread out outlet :)

The premium outlets are right off the Disney property and have many of the shops people want to get to, such as Coach & Dooney & Bourke.

If you're staying on Disney property, there is no shuttle off the property to anywhere that's not owned by Disney :)

You might want to consider renting a car for the day and hitting both outlets. One of the major car rentals are on property and you could get the car from them. They may even deliver to your resort.

Here are some links to the outlets

http://www.orlandotouristinformationbureau.com/shopping/malls/belzoutlet.htm

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17

I would check out Premium Outlets. They have most of the higher end brand outlets. They also have an outlet store operated by Disney that is the only one around that I am aware of. This is not an outlet for the Disney stores that you see in local malls. This outlet is actually operated by Disney World and carriers a lot of merchandise at pretty good prices. Most merchandise appears to be discontinued styles (you won't see them in the parks), or dated merchandise from earlier in the year or the previous year.

Prime Outlets have almost the exact same stores as Premium, plus a many more. Also, the stores are larger and have more merchandise. Premium is really quite a bit smaller than Prime, and it's because it's right off Disney property with limited land to build a big outlet mall :) That's why if I'm only going to go to one, I'll drive to Prime.

Prime also has a Character Warehouse (disney outlet), which is bigger and has more merchandise than the one at Premium which is closer to Disney.

It would help if you can expand a little bit about what brands you prefer. As rwsatl has pointed out, Premium outlets offer higher end brands (read expensive) while Belz generally offer less expensive brands with the exception of Off Sak Fifth and Nieman Marcus Last Call.

If there was only one choice, I would go with the Premium Outlets since they have brands that most outlets do not have (Armani, Zegna, Diesel, Ferragomo, etc.).

If renting a car is not an option, a taxi ride to Premium Outlets would be cheaper than the Belz as well.

Drew

I've been to both many times and tend to like Prime for the reason Mary2e stated. The stores are larger and have more merchandise. I've always found the Coach store to have a much better selection.

It would help if you can expand a little bit about what brands you prefer. As rwsatl has pointed out, Premium outlets offer higher end brands (read expensive) while Belz generally offer less expensive brands with the exception of Off Sak Fifth and Nieman Marcus Last Call.

If there was only one choice, I would go with the Premium Outlets since they have brands that most outlets do not have (Armani, Zegna, Diesel, Ferragomo, etc.).

If renting a car is not an option, a taxi ride to Premium Outlets would be cheaper than the Belz as well.

Drew
Not anymore. The Prime Outlets have changed quite a bit. I was amazed when I was there in Sept. While there may be a few higher tiered company stores (they are not outlets) in Premium, most of those stores are also now in Prime. The only true outlet I ran into was Lauren Couture, and they sell mostly last seasons high end clothing that did not sell in their regular stores.

I think you're incorrect about less expensive brands. Perhaps you missed the larger Coach & Cole Hahn stores or the new TravelPro store. A Nordstrom rack was getting set to open to go along with Saks off Fifth & Neiman.

It really is quite different down there now. And I was pleasantly surprised.

As for the brands... I usually end up buying in Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Cole Haan, and bought so much new luggage at Travel Pro, I had to check it :)

That said, I don't do all that much shopping when I am there, and I defintely am not interested in high end designer clothing made specifically to sell to the outlet mall shopper in the US. When I want higher end clothing, I will go to Neiman or Saks outlets, which are selling true closeouts.

Another reason I don't shop there very much... I live in NJ - some of the largest outlet malls in the country are in the NY/NJ/PA area. I only go to them for specific stores because I am in the area and they're closer than at home.

We arrived in Orlando yesterday evening and we're planning to hit Prime and Premium tomorrow using the I-Ride as we're staying on I-Drive and have no need for a car. Will let you know what we find.

Rent a car if at all possible. That place is not as small as you think it is. A car is a good thing to have even if you only stay on property. And having a car will suddenly open up all sorts of possibilities for dining and shopping.

ok seems like the prime outlets is where to go. all this prime and premium outlets are confusing me. but prime outlets is belz... so i think we should go there. i would like to try the premium outlets but i doubt my sister in law would want to take a taxi. we're definitely not renting a car.

we just want a banana republic outlet and a samsonite one. others, not sure. we're just going for the excitment of shopping but would still like to find deals. i don't go to kmart or any of those discount stores. i do shop at the higher end stores.



We arrived in Orlando yesterday evening and we're planning to hit Prime and Premium tomorrow using the I-Ride as we're staying on I-Drive and have no need for a car. Will let you know what we find.

i heard about the i-ride but have no idea as to get there. someone told me to take a cab to the i-ride. and if we do take the cab, do i just say take me to the iride?

i think the iride takes you to the premium outlets...c orrect me if i'm wrong.

You may want Samsonite, but TravelPro just opened their first outlet in the country in Prime. :)

Keep in mind that while the Prime Outlets are part of a chain of outlet malls, this particular one is pretty spread out. They're remodeling and are making it more pedestrian friendly, but IIRC, Coach & Cole Haan, while part of Prime, are definitely not a walking distance from the rest of them.

Premium is a self contained outlet mall and is considerably smaller and easily done on foot. I really do think you need a car if you want to spend the day shopping at the outlets.

I'm not sure about the I-Drive shuttles. I believe they stop at the major hotels along International Drive.

Where are you staying? There are no shuttles from Disney owned hotels. It sounds like you might be staying on site.

we're staying at the carribbean resort at disneyworld. so i think i can go to downtown disney and hop on a shuttle there. i think there's a hilton down there or something like that. i'm only guessing. i'm trying my best to figure out what's going on since my sister in law isn't helping at all.

Yes, they do make it intentionally difficult to use public transportation between Disney and I Drive. But that is for another discussion.

In any case, Lynx buses (the Orlando area bus service) does run through Walt Disney World. The best place to pick them up is at Pleasure Island. There is one morning bus, I think, that goes right to Belz or whatever it is now. But in the afternoon you have to use two buses, and change at International Drive and Sand Lake Road. The bus drivers will be able to help you out there.

we're staying at the carribbean resort at disneyworld. so i think i can go to downtown disney and hop on a shuttle there. i think there's a hilton down there or something like that. i'm only guessing. i'm trying my best to figure out what's going on since my sister in law isn't helping at all.
Do you really want to spend over 1 hour and probably 2 getting yourself to the outlets?

This is what you'll have to do:

Get a bus from the Caribbean Beach resort (CBR) to downtown disney (DD)/pleasure island. These do not run as often as the park buses, so you will either have to wait, or take a bus to an intermediate point to get to DD.
Walk from the outer edge of DD to the Hilton and hope you can get a shuttle from there
Hope there isn't much traffic, because if there is, well, you're going to be on that shuttle for a while. Prime is just beyond Universal.
Do it all in reverse.

I have to tell you, if I had to do all that just to go shopping, well, I wouldn't.

You may have decent luck calling the CBR, asking for guest services and tell them what you want to do and see what the best options offered are. You never know.

Keep in mind that even the valets at disney resorts don't have maps to the outlets nor will you find a brochure on site anywhere. If you want to go, they'll tell you how to get there, but they're not offering the information.

Disney wants you onsite. Period.

It's a 15 minute drive if there's no traffic. Jumping through hoops to get there may not be worth it.

thanks for everyone's help. i will talk to my sister in law and figure out what to do. we've got nothing to do that day since my brother will be running the marathon. going to one of the parks is a no-no. if we go without him, he'd throw a tantrum. i thought only my nephew would do that. guess not.

thanks for all your help mary. i've seen you on the boards and have helped other people immensely. i know how it is to help others on boards and many people feel thankful when helped.

My pleasure to help. Just ask away if you need any more info.

BTW - I've seen info on the I-Drive shuttle on Expedia under the "activities" tab for Orlando. From what I read, it runs only on I-Drive.

And I-Drive is not walkable from DD. ;)

Seriously. Rent a car. Disney has a car rental agency onsite (National?) and I believe they will deliver it to your resort.

My pleasure to help. Just ask away if you need any more info.

BTW - I've seen info on the I-Drive shuttle on Expedia under the "activities" tab for Orlando. From what I read, it runs only on I-Drive.

And I-Drive is not walkable from DD. ;)

Seriously. Rent a car. Disney has a car rental agency onsite (National?) and I believe they will deliver it to your resort.

It is indeed National (location ORLR02) but last I heard they have a complimentary shuttle to the Car Care center but no delivery.

Actually, it's no longer National but Alamo, although they are in fact the same company. But Alamo does not offer the drop off service. On the other hand, getting the shuttle to the Car Care Center is easy. There is also an outlet (may be National) at the Swan or the Dolphin, forget which.

ok so i called to see if there are any shuttles that go anywhere. there is a lack of guest services answering any calls!

question regarding the hilton shuttles. will they take people who don't have a room there?

i think the best solution might be getting a taxi. or just not going at all.

Sorry for my lack in responding to posts - been busy sightseeing and shopping in Orlando without the need to hire a car.

Prime Outlets - now probably the biggest outlet retail park in Orlando. It's a big change from a year ago when we last visited and is still under construction. Be aware, if you catch the I-Ride or Lynx to Prime, the stops are in the same place but the only store near the stops is the Niemann Marcus Last Stop. To get to the other Prime stores, use the free Prime trolley to get around as it's a 10 minute walk from Niemann Marcus to the other stores. Buying luggage? Travelpro and Tumi spring to mind at Prime.

I-Ride Trolley - main line runs from Prime at the north end of I-Drive to Premium at the south end of I-Drive. Green line runs from close to Universal Studios to Premium. Single ride costs $1 irrespective of distance. A seven day pass costs $9 for unlimited rides in the week. Passes not available on board, need to be bought in advance.

Lynx - fare increase as of January 6 to $1.75 per journey. Transfers still free (if used within 90 minutes). Main routes:

8 - downtown Orlando to Premium via I-Drive
24 - Prime to Mall At Millenia
38 - rotary to/from downtown serving I-Drive northbound only between Convention Centre and Wet 'n' Wild
42 - east/west service between Premium and MCO via I-Drive and The Florida Mall
50 - downtown Orlando to Disney - if you are staying at any property on/close to I-Drive get the 8 to Sea Harbor Drive (Seaworld) and then transfer to the 50. The service drops at the Transportation/Ticket Centre (not Downtown Disney if I recall correctly - will be able to tell you for sure tomorrow) and you can use the Disney Transportation system to get anywhere. So if you are at a Disney property and want to shop:

Free service to TTC (think the Polynesian is the nearest hotel to TTC)
50 service to Sea Harbor Drive
Lynx or I-Ride to Prime, Premium, Millenia or Florida Mall

Malls - all pretty much the same stores except Millenia is more high end than The Florida Mall and has a new shiny IKEA behind it (a walk over the road from Bloomingdales). The Florida Mall is also close to other retail stores such as CompUSA and Bath Bed & Beyond. There's also Festival Bay at the north end of I-Drive. Be aware not all units are open at Festival Bay but it's always quiet and easy to walk around without getting barged by tourists and strollers. There are still two sites for Prime (the new one and the designer outlet) - behing the designer outlet are a few stores including Old Navy and TJ Maxx. Also various outlet stores in various strip malls up and down I-Drive.

Theme Parks - get your Universal Tickets from the Official Visitors Centre on I-Drive (stop 20 on the I-Ride) - we paid $92 each for a 7-day multi pass which included access to CityWalk by night. We also splashed out on 2-year Platinum Passports to access all Seaworld/Busch Gardens parks which will include Aquatica and Adventure Island this summer. Using EZpay it cost us $17 each to sign up for the 2-year passport (and pay $17 monthly) and was a good save for us considering we do Florida twice a year. One off cost of the 2-year passport is about $400 each. Disney is still expensive, always has been, always will be. The top ticket is a 10-day, park hopping, water park, no expiration extravaganza for $500.

Car hire - I come on holiday to enjoy myself, not drive around. The public transport system suffices and is cheaper than car hire. Do as the locals do!

Any questions I can help with, PM me or post here.

PS It is me or am I finding that speaking Spanish is becoming more of an advantage in Orlando? And am I the only one who finds it rude and "not sporting etiquette" to move out of someone's way if you are causing the obstruction? I put up for example sidestepping someone walking towards you on a collision course carrying multiple bags from stores in malls. Are tourists just rude? And is there any need to walk five-abreast and not give way to anything animal, vegetable or mineral in your quest to dominate the aisles when shopping? And cutting lines is generally frowned upon ... <rant mode off>

Great response. Thank you so much.

Couple of questions.. but let me tell you how I think it is to get to Prime outlets. I may be wrong, I"m trying to read up as much as I can.

We're staying at the Carribbean resort at Disney World. So I figure to take the bus or whatever disney gives to polynesian resort. which is where the ttc is? just a bit confused as to where the ttc is. mary2e mentioned to go there, didn't know why but i think i do now.

ok so i am supposing i am buying my tickets at the TTC for lynx and Iride. see what i'm confused about is i read to take the 50 (lynx) to seaworld and then catching a ride on the IRide. but i don't know which way to go. i know the bus sigfn is yellow and maroon. i saw it on the iride website. am i wrong?

ok wait i think i'm correct. i just read the little part you wrote about how to get to the malls. thanks for helping!!

ok a real question since you answered my questiona lready. and i hope you get to answer this before friday because i'm leaving saturday morning. have you seen a lynx bus that has gone straight to prime outlet? i read somewhere that therei s one in the morning.

thanks again.

Great response. Thank you so much.

We're staying at the Carribbean resort at Disney World. So I figure to take the bus or whatever disney gives to polynesian resort. which is where the ttc is? just a bit confused as to where the ttc is. mary2e mentioned to go there, didn't know why but i think i do now.

thanks again.

The TTC is essentially the Magic Kingdom parking lot and off-property bus hub.

It is next to the Polynesian but there is no direct bus service to either place from the CBR. You can take a bus to the MK then take a monorail to the TTC.

With a shopping-mad wife, I have been to pretty much all of the malls in Central Florida. Personally I prefer Premium Outlets is a better set-up than Prime Outlets plus it's closer to Disney. One way to get there is to take the Disney bus to Downtown Disney and then just cab over there. There's a taxi stand near the Nike outlet for the ride back.

BTW, Millenia Mall is very, very nice.

For anyone who plans on doing this here's some information:

You can take the shuttle from the resort to Magic Kingdom. Then take the Ferry or the Monorail to the TTC. The ferry entrance is the first green canopy area that you see. There's a sign, you have to turn around to see the sign.

Also there is a bus that goes from Animal Kingdom to TTC. It's in Area A.

I didn't get to go. We got to the TTC but then it downpoured. We were soaked and went back to the hotel.

BTW, the Carribbean Beach Resort is horrible. Don't go there.

Another thing for the bus. Bring change. it's 1.75 now. When you get to where the buses are, it's all the way on the left. There's a little sign, it's near some picnic tables.

that's all i've got. Thank you for eveyrone's help again. I will go again when I have my own children. Though I doubt I'll have the option to take public transporation. Children get bored easily lol.

I live in Orlando and LOVE shopping here.

Prime Outlets- XLNT choice of all sorts of brand. Favorite stores are Last Call~ Neiman Marcus and Off 5th~ Saks Fifth Avenue.

Premium Outlets- Hard to get in and out of but if you are in to Designer brands (Armani, Dior, Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Boss, St. John ...) then Premium is the place to be.

Millenium- Site to Central Florida's first IKEA. The mall caters to high-end customers on one side (Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Gucci, Ferragmo, Tiffany...) and regulars on the other side (Macy's).

Florida Mall- HUGE!!! Sears, JC Penney, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy's are the anchor stores with the Florida Mall hotel in the middle and a gazillion stores.

Of course, I did not mention the hundreds of other "outlet like" stores all over Orlando.

It's SHOP till you DROP at unbelievable prices and selections. Trust me, I have shopped all over the world and Orlando is TOTALLY awesome when it comes to shopping. Happy Shopping!;)